Pumping device



Jan. 26, 1932. F H. C, COPPUS; 1,842,960

PUMPING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. 2l, 1925 Patented Jan. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE .y

. FRANS H. C. COPPUS F WORCESTR, MASSACHUSETTS ASSIG-NOR TQ ANNA M. C. WECHSBERG, VERA L. WOOD, AND FRANS H. C. COPPUS, TRUSTEES, OF WORCESTER,

MASSACHUSETTS PUMPING DEVICE Application led August 2.1, 1925, Serial No. 51,6777. Renewed March 16, 1931.

This invention relates to a pumping` device `for a feed water heater particularly designed for locomotive use but capable of general use as well.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a safe means for collecting water in a pump, insuring that there will always be Water in said pump when there is steam to operate it; to provide a valve for letting the water into this pump from a storage tank controlled by steam from the boiler and arranged to be kept open Whenever the steam supply to the pump is open; to provlde additional means for preventing the further feeding of water into the pump when the level thereof is up to a certain limit; and to provide a valve controlled by the level of the Water in the pump and normally open but adapted to close and prevent the entrance of steam if the water in the lift pump is exhausted for any reason.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the drawings in which Fig. l is a central sectional viewof the Whole feed water heating plant constructed in accordance with this invention, some parts being shown in side elevation and showing the lift pump operated by exhaust steam from the boiler feed pump; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section of the stop valve for feeding the water into the lift pump.

The complete plant as designed for a locomotive comprises a storage tank A for cold water, a pump B for receiving Water therefrom and provided with means for pumping it into a hot Water tank C from which the water is discharged by gravity into the boiler` feed pump D which discharges Water into, and receives steam from, the locomotive boiler E.

The tank A feeds through a valve 1G, which, under ordinary conditions is always open, and through a pipe into a chamber 1l. This chamber may be located anywhere in the line and is provided with a port 12 having a valve seat in one wall thereof which wall separates it from a second chamber 13 into which the chamber 1l discharges and which discharges into the chamber A spring loaded stop valve 14 (Fig. 2) closes this port but it is provided with a plunger 15 in a cylinder 15EL adapted to receive steam behind the plunger to open the valve. This canbe operated from the steam main 6 which delivers steam from the boiler E to the pump D. This main is provided with a pipe 16 having a hand valve 17 and a check valve 18. Upon the opening of the valve 17 live steam will ilow through the pipe 16 into the casing 15'?L of the plunger l5 and open the valve 14. Un der normal Working conditions, steam pressure is kept behind this piston and the valve 14 is kept-open so that water is free to How from the tank A into the chamber 13.

.A butterfly valve 19 is provided at the outlet of this chamber' to control the passage of Water from the chamber 13 into the pump B. This butterfly valve is provided with a float 20 so that when the Water in the pump B rises above a certain point, the valve 19 will be closed and n0 more water will flow in until the level is decreased.

The valve .housing containing the stop valve 14 and the buttery valve 19 is bolted to the main body of the pump B and can be taken 0H' as a unit including the float control 20. The stop valve 14 and its operation through steam pressure is shown in larger'scale in Fig. 2.

The pump B has a steam chamber 44 at the top, a turbine chamber 46, and a water chamber: below, the top of which is vented at 21 so as to keep the air space above the Water at substantially atmospheric pressure.

The pump is provided through the center with a vertical sha-ft 22 hanging on a ball bearing 23 at the top and having a turbine in the chamber 46 for rotating it. The steam enters the turbine from the chamber 44 above and exhausts on its lower side, the exhaust passing into ka cylinder or chamber 47 surrounding the shaft to preheat the water. This cylinder has a roundlat plate at the top constituting the bottom of the turbine chamber. This plate is provided With a check valve 9. The purpose ofthis check valve is to prevent a vacuum in the of the pump B. y

exhaust chamber' 47. When the steam is condensed in the chamber 47, a vacuum might be formed which would make the turbine run faster until the Vacuum is broken, making the pump race. The check valve 9 prevents the forming of a vacuum by lifting immediately a vacuum begins to form, thereby connectlng the turbine chamber 46 with the vented air chamber above the water in the pump casing. The exhaust must pass through the water in the pump B before it can escape through the vent 2l and will be condensed before it can escape, heating the water before it is pumped to spray valve 32. The balanced valve 43 is operated by a iioat 49 to close if the water ever gets below the minimum water level. It is normally held wide open throughout all the operation. The valve 43 is a safety valve which is shut to prevent the steam turbine from operating when there is no water in pump B. In this case the float 49 will drop, thereby shuttin the valve. The valve is completely balance by means of a hole through its spindle connecting the space above the upper part of the spindle to the air space above the water in pump B which is atmospheric. Therefore, the steam pressure has no tendency to close or open the valve thus preventing counteraction of the operation of the float. When the valve is o en it is seated against an enclosure there ore preventing steam fiowing from the valve by the lower portion of its stem into the atmospheric air chamber of the pump B. Valve 43 may be removed by slipping down a sleeve 54 and taking out the pin 55 connecting the valve to the float link. Then the housing 56 complete with the float and link may'be removed from the main housing of pump B.

A pump impeller 24 of usual construction is fixed on the bottom of the shaft 22. This impeller forces the water to enter a chamber 26 at the bottom.

Water is delivered from the chamber 26 through the pipe 3() into the casing 31 located on top of the hot water tank C. This casing is detachably supported by a casting 33 secured to the top of the tank C. To this casing is fastened a small sleeve 34 having a conical outlet at the bottom.- A spring loaded valve 32 is located in the bottom of the sleeve for controlling the flow of water from the outlet. It is made conical like the outlet so that when the water flows out under the valve 32 it will be spread conically, as indicated, through exhaustisteam from the engines introduced through a steam pipe 35 into the upper part of tank C. This heats the water, but it has been preheated in the pump B as stated, by the exhaust steam from the turbine 45.

The tank C is provided with a partition 36 across it near the top ydividing it into two chambers, the lower one for receiving and and without control into the boiler fee holding the preheated pump feed water. The spray of water heated by the steam coming in is deposited in the lower chamber. The partition 36 is perforated at the center and provided with an open bottomed mixing chamber 37. The steam must enter through the cone of water but some steam is allowed to enter through indentations 38 formed through the sides of the copper chamber, which also drains any water which mi ht otherwise accumulate in the upper cham er of tank C. The top of the mixing chamber 37 is open and steam is trapped in the space above the water in the lower chamber and the water coming through the cone spray which gives the steam an opportunit to heat the water thoroughly. The 'tank has a vent at 39 below the partition 36. It also has an overflow 40 for conducting any water above the hot water level back by gravity into the pum B.

The tank CP discharges directly by avity dgump D. This pump is rovided with an exhaust 42 which delivers a l the exhaust steam from the pump through a valve 43 into the casing 44 at the top of the pum B and through the usual nozzles operates t e turbine wheel 45. The line 42 has a safety valve 48 which will relieve the steam pressure in the line in case valve 43 should be closed when the pump D is in operation' or steam supplied to line 42 through line 95.

The function of pump B is to keep tank C lled at all times, delivering a surplus of water to the tank, the surplus being returned to the pump through overflow pipe 40. As stated, it is driven by the exhaust steam of the feed pump D and the power supplied by this exhaust steam to the turbine wheel determines the amount of water it delivers to tank C. As the amount of water delivered by the pump B must alwa s be in proportion to the amount of water ta en out of the tank C by the pump D, and as the amount of water delivered by the pump D to the boiler depends upon the' steam supply to the pump D, which in turn determines the amount of the exhaust therefrom, the exhaust steam supplied to the turbine will practically be in proportion to the amount of steam necessary to have the pump B deliver an excess of water to the tank C. For various operating conditions the pressure of the exhaust steam from the pump D will vary considerably, and therefore to be sure that the power supplied to the turbine wheel 45 will be sucient to have the pump B deliver an excess supply of water to the tank C, means must be provided whereby the p)ressure of the exhaust from the feed pump will always be suiiicient to cause the pump B to deliver an excess supply of water to the tank C. This means is furnished by the size of the nozzle or nozzles admitting the exhaust steam to the turbine holding the spray valve 32 against its seat.

It will be plain that the smaller the collective nozzle openings admitting steam to the turbine wheel, the higher will be the pressure of the exhaust from the pump D for all conditions. The higher the pressure of the exhaust steam the more elicient will be the turbine 45.

Therefore, by decreasing the size of the nozzle openings more water will be delivered by the pump B, and b. increasing the size of the nozzle openings ess water will be delivered. Also, by increasing the tension of the spring of the spray valve 32 the discharge\ pressure of the pump B will be increased and less water will be delivered by the pump. By decreasing the tension of the spring of the spray valve 32 the discharge pressure will 'be increased and more water w1ll be delivered -by the pump. The proper amount of noz-v zle opening to take care of all conditions is .determined by test and the water supply is further regulated by adjusting the spring of the spray valve 32. At this time it may be stated that the steam pipe 6 which operates the pump has a main hand operated valve for controlling it-.andV beyond this valve is a pipe 51 connected through a check valve 52 lwith the pipe 16 for supplying steam to the piston casing 15a holding the valve 14 open after the valve 17 is closed and at all times while the pump is receiving steam. The purpose of the check valves 18 and 52 will be obvious. There is also a hand vent cock 53 in this pipe 16 which can be opened-to permit of the closing of the valve 14 when the parts come to rest.

The pump D is in the main a -standard centrifugal turbo boiler feed pump, but to adapt it to a locomotive special features have been incorporated, these features being the regulation of the` steam supply `to the pump, means for heating the outboard bearing, means for simplifying draining, and a safety trip to stop the pump in case of excessive speed.

The steam ilows to the turbine of the boiler feed pump through a safety' trip valve 60 through an excess pressure governor 61, and then to the steam chamber 62. The operation of the pump, however, is not manually controlled by the opening of the valve 50 in the steam line to the pump. This valve is open fully at all times when the pump is running regardless of the capacity of the pump. The water delivered by the pump is controlled by the discharge valve 63 which is open'more or less in accordance with the demand.

Against the lower side of a diaphragm in the excess pressure governor 61 is the pressure of the discharge of the pump through pipe which is always larger than the boiler pressure'to overcome the friction in the discharge line to the boiler and to lift the check of the boiler. Without this governor the pump might build up a very excessive pressure thereby wasting steam. I have shown a formv of excess pressure governor disclosed and claimed in Otto Wechsberg.

As the delivery of the pump -at times is very small the steam pressure to the turbine mlght be throttled so lovsT that the turbine would be very ineliicient, and it is therefore desirable to close one or more nozzles at low capacity to maintain a higher steam pressure. Thls 1s accomplished by water pressure from the valve 62 through-pipes 7 9 and 81 to valve controlled nozzles (not shown) in steam "chamber 62.

It is desirable to heat the outboard bearing 105, Fig. 1 in cold weather and I have shown a pipe 106 leading from the exhaust chamber of the pump to a chamber 107 around the bearing 105 which may be drained auto- `matically by any ordinary thermostatic valve or constantly through a small opening. This heating pipe 106 may surround the steam pipe 108 from the safety trip valve 60, the purpose of which is to keep any water of condensation in the pipe 108 from freezing.

It will` be seen therefore that I have provided an arrangement which can be operated either by exhaust steam from the pump ory live steam from the boiler for both preheating the water and lifting it into the hot-water tank. This arrangement is such that water from the water tank will feed into it by gravity at all times when the steam is on except when the water in' the pump B gets too high. The means for operating the pump B to ump the water into the hot-water tank is o very simple construction presenting no valves or partsthat a're relatively movable, all being fixed on the central shaft. The form which I have illustrated for operating the valve for controlling the admission of steam to the pump is very simple and eliective to produce the results. The hot-water tank is so arranged as to insure a thorough preheating of the water by the steam entering it and is regulated to deliver the water under certain pressure as has been explained and to drain it back into the pump.

The pump B functions as an auxiliary pump iii the locomotive feed water heating system herein shown and described handling cold water from the tender and excess water from the heating tank. It may be used however, as well as a main feed water heater pump and as such may be combined with controlling devices the same as, similar to, o1' different from those disclosed in the specifications. Or, the pump may be used without any such device and stillv embody its advantageous features such as, for instance, the compact construction and simplicity of design as shown in the relationship between the turbine and the pump elements. For various applications a vent may be used anywhere or U. S. Patent No. 1,536,697 to e subject matter of my divisional applications Serial No. 288,962 filed June 28,1928 and Serial No. 456,210 filed May 27, 1930.

Although I have illustrated and described only one form of the invention, I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited to the exact constructions shown or the particular combinations of parts, but what I do claim is 1. A water receptacle having means for maintaining a supply of water therein up to a desired level and having an air chamber above the water and a steam chamber, a shaft in the receptacle, means above the air chamber for turning the shaft by the force of steam entering the steam chamber, a centrifugal pump on the shaft for forcing the water out of the receptacle, and means whereby the steam after turning the shaft is condensed by the water.

2. A pumping device comprising a receptacle having means for maintaining a supply of water therein and having an air chamber above the water and a turbine chamber, a shaft in the receptacle, means in said turbine chamber for turning the shaft by the force of steam entering the turbine chamber, a pump on the shaft for forcing the water out of the receptacle, means whereby the steam after turning the shaft is condensed by the water, a valve for controlling the admission of steam, and fioat controlled means for keeping said valve open until the level of the water gets materially below normal.

3. A pumping device comprising a receptacle having means for maintaining a supply of water therein up to a desired level, an air chamber above the water and a turbine chamber, a shaft in the receptacle, means for turning the shaft by steam entering the turbine chamber, means operated by the shaft for forcing the water out of the receptacle, and an extension from the turbine chamber opening below the water level, whereby the steam after turning the shaft is condensed by the water.

4. In a pumping device, the combination with a pump casing, of a shaft therein, a steam turbine on the shaft for rotating it, means for supplying steam to said turbine,

" an impeller on the shaft for discharging Water from the pump casing, and a partition across the pump casing below the turbine having a downward extension sealed by the water in the'casing for condensing the exhaust steam iu the water.

5. In a pumping device, the combination with a pump casingl having a water chamber, a vented air 'chamber above it, and a turbine chamber above the air chamber, a partition between the two upper chambers, and a check valve in said partition adapted to connect said two upper chambers if a vacuum begins to form in the turbine chamber, of a steam turbine in the turbine chamber and an impeller in the water chamber connected to be driven by the turbine to discharge the water.

6. In a pumping device, the combination with a pump casing having a water chamber, and a turbine chamber above the water chamber, of a valve for admitting water to the water chamber, means for keeping said valve open as long as the water level is below normal, a chamber from which the water iiows past said valve, and a valve for feeding said chamber arranged to bc opened by steam and kept open until vented.

7. In a pumping device, the combination with a pump casing having a water chamber, and a turbine chamber above the water cham ber, of a steam turbine in the turbine chamber and an impeller in the water chamber connected to be driven by the turbine to discharge the water, a spring closed valve for supplying water to the water chamber, and a piston in front of said valve for opening it by steam and holding it open until the steam is vented.

8. In a device for keeping filled a water tank for a pumping system, the combination of a pump receptacle, a water inlet thereto having a valve for closing it, a cylinder, a plunger connected with the valve and eX- tending into the cylinder, and means for maintaining steam pressure in the cylinder to keep the valve open all the time the system is operating.

9. In a feeding device for a water tank, the combination of a4 pump receptacle, a water inlet, a spring actuated valve for closing it, a cylinder, a plunger on the valve located in the cylinder, means for maintaining steam pressure on the plunger to keep the valve open, a second valve for admitting water from the inlet valve to the receptacle, and a controlling ioat for keeping the second valve open unless the water reaches a certain level in the receptacle.

10. In a device for keeping filled a water tank, the combination of a pump receptacle,

. a water inlet thereto having a valve for closing it, a cylinder, a plunger connected with the valve and extending into the cylinder, a steam supply system having a steam line and a controlling valve, means for maintaining steam pressure in the cvlinder to keep the valve open, comprising two pipes from the steam line of the system to sald cylinder, one connected with the system .on each side of the controlling valve of the system to supply steam to the cylinder whether the controlling valve is open or closed, and hand operated means for closing the pipe connected to the steam line on the supply side of said con. trolling valve.

11. A water receptacle vented to the atmosphere and havingmeans for maintaining a supply of Water therein up to a desired level, a shaft in the receptacle, a steam turbine on the shaft for rotating it, a stealn supply for the turbine, an impeller on the shaft for forcing the water out of the receptacle and means whereby the exhaust steam 0f the turbinp is condensed by the water. in the receptac e.

12. A water receptacle vented to the atmosphere and having means for maintaining a supply of water therein up to a .desired level, a shaft in the receptacle, a steam turbine on the shaft for rotating it, a steam supply for the turbine, an impeller on the shaft for forcing the Water out of the receptacle, means for admitting steam to the turbine until the level of the Water gets below a predetermined point, and means whereby the exhaust steam of the turbine is condensed by the water in the receptacle.

13. In a pumping device, the combination with a pump casing having a water chamber vented to the atmosphere, a turbine chamber above the water chamber, a partition between the water chamber and-the turbine chamber, and means connecting the turbine chamber with the water chamber to condense the steam from the turbine chamber, of a turbine in the turbine chamber, and an impeller connected to the turbine to discharge the Water from thc Water chamber.

14. In a'pumping device, the combination with a pump casing, of a shaft therein, a steam turbine on the shaft for rotating it, means for supplying steam to said turbine, an impeller on the shaft for discharging water from the pump casing, and means whereby the exhaust steam from the turbine is caused to pass into the waterin the easing all the time steam is supplied to the turbine.

15. A pumping device comprising a Water receptacle, a turbine chamber, a shaft in the receptacle, means for turning the shaft by steam entering the turbine chamber, means operated by the shaft for forcing the water out of the receptacle and an extension from the turbine chamber opening below the Water level in the water receptacle whereby steam after turning the shaft is condensed by the water in the receptacle.

16. In a turbine driven pump, the combination with a pump casing, a turbine casing and a partition separating them, of a shaft in the casing, a steam turbine on the shaft for rotating it, means for supplying steam t0 said turbine, an impeller on the shaft for discharging Water from the pump easing and a connection between the turbine casing and the pump casing sealed by the Water in the pump casing for condensing exhaust steam from the turbine casing.

17. In a turbine driven pump, the combination with the pump receptacle, of a pump shaft, a pump driven by said shaft, a steam turbine in the receptacle on the shaft, and means for introducing water into the receptacle directly in the path of the exhaust steam from the turbine so that it will condense the steam discharged from the turbine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto axed my signature. v

FRANS H. C. COPPUS. 

